President Donald Trump signed a spate of executive orders, including one that made the Gulf of Mexico return to the Gulf of America and one that made the Denali mountain peak in Alaska rechristened as Mount McKinley. Google has started outlining how to adjust navigation services like Google Maps to these changes, which will obviously update.
Google Maps Responds to the Name Changes
According to Google, when official changes are made, its News by Google account on X (formerly Twitter) updates place names in Maps. These updates depend on updating the federal Geographic Names Information System GNIS, the standardized database of geographic names in the US.
GNIS updates go live and are available, Google Maps will show the new names to users in the U.S., and Gmail and Google Earth will change to reflect the new names for GMail and Google Earth users. Google plans to show the Gulf of America/Gulf of Mexico and Denali/Mt for the remainder of the world. McKinley in Google Maps to accommodate different naming variations around the globe
These changes have not impacted Google Maps, as the GNIS database has not been regenerated.
Historical Context: Denali/Mount McKinley
The renaming of Denali to Mount McKinley reignites a long-standing controversy. In 1896, the peak’s name was changed to honour President William McKinley, a move with no connection to Alaska, though it was originally named Denali by the Koyukon Athabaskans. In 1917 the name change was formalized.
The mountain’s indigenous name, Denali, was restored in 2015 when his administration issued a presidential proclamation designating it as its cultural and historic name. The name change reverses Trump’s reinstatement of Mount McKinley, which will likely rekindle and expand on symbolism and cultural questions over the name change.
Implications for Navigation and Global Use
For users in the U.S., Google Maps will display the new names exclusively: Gulf of America and Mount McKinley. However, international users will likely see dual labels to clear up for global viewers.
The updates will affect Google Maps and other GNIS data platforms, including Apple Maps, navigation devices, and geographic tools. The newly adopted names may also be used in textbooks, business travel guides, and other texts.
Reactions and Future Updates
Renaming these landmarks turned out to be an instant cause for debate. Supporters of the renaming view the change as a reaffirmation of American history, while critics say the effort endangers the denaali or dena’lį (Koyukon), which would be clearly undermined if the mountain is renamed Denali. The usage of the Gulf of America renaming has sparked controversy, with some seeing it as nothing but unnecessary nationalism.
The GNIS updates are finalized, and navigation platforms like Google Maps are expected to roll out promptly. Users can search for these landmarks using their previous names.
Final Words
The name changes for the Gulf of America and Mount McKinley have been officially treated, but it will be some time before they appear on digital and physical maps. As the broader world of navigation systems and global platforms adjusts, the cultural and political implications of these changes will continue to be something we have discussed for many years.
Ethan Cole is a tech aficionado dedicated to exploring the latest innovations and gadgets, providing reviews and insights to keep you updated in the tech world.
